Covert operation at adult bookstore results in five arrests

Published: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 7:54 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 7:54 a.m.

An Interlachen woman was among several people arrested Tuesday in connection with a covert operation into lewd acts at an adult bookstore in Palatka, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office reported.

Store clerk Alva R. Yusem, 43, was charged with owning, maintaining or operating a business for the purpose of lewdness, assignation or prostitution, according to a Sheriff's Office news release.

The arrests took place Tuesday afternoon at the Adult Super Center at 3724 Reid St. Sheriff's Maj. Johnny Greenwood reported that the agency had received information about people committing lewd acts in a theater viewing area.

A deputy in plain clothes went into the area and saw several men openly engaging in lewd acts, Greenwood reported.

Four men — two from Putnam County and one each from Flagler and St. Johns — were arrested in addition to Yusem.

"This is the third undercover operation conducted at the business since July 24, and each time officers have observed individuals openly engaged in lewd behavior in violation of Florida Statute," Sheriff Jeff Hardy said in the news release. "Our scrutiny of this business will continue until such time as they come into compliance with the law."

The release states the owner told deputies he will close the theater portion of the business.

Also charged were Donald Harry Beavers, 88, of Pomona Park, for exposure of sexual organs; Migueal Flores Ramirez, 59, of Satsuma, for exposure of sexual organs and for entering or remaining in a place for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness or assignation; Edwin T. Lynch, 70, of Flagler Beach, for entering or remaining in a place for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness or assignation; and Emanuel G. Koutelas, 74, of St. Augustine, for entering or remaining in a place for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness or assignation.

<p>An Interlachen woman was among several people arrested Tuesday in connection with a covert operation into lewd acts at an adult bookstore in Palatka, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office reported.</p><p>Store clerk Alva R. Yusem, 43, was charged with owning, maintaining or operating a business for the purpose of lewdness, assignation or prostitution, according to a Sheriff's Office news release.</p><p>The arrests took place Tuesday afternoon at the Adult Super Center at 3724 Reid St. Sheriff's Maj. Johnny Greenwood reported that the agency had received information about people committing lewd acts in a theater viewing area.</p><p>A deputy in plain clothes went into the area and saw several men openly engaging in lewd acts, Greenwood reported.</p><p>Four men — two from Putnam County and one each from Flagler and St. Johns — were arrested in addition to Yusem.</p><p>"This is the third undercover operation conducted at the business since July 24, and each time officers have observed individuals openly engaged in lewd behavior in violation of Florida Statute," Sheriff Jeff Hardy said in the news release. "Our scrutiny of this business will continue until such time as they come into compliance with the law."</p><p>The release states the owner told deputies he will close the theater portion of the business.</p><p>Also charged were Donald Harry Beavers, 88, of Pomona Park, for exposure of sexual organs; Migueal Flores Ramirez, 59, of Satsuma, for exposure of sexual organs and for entering or remaining in a place for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness or assignation; Edwin T. Lynch, 70, of Flagler Beach, for entering or remaining in a place for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness or assignation; and Emanuel G. Koutelas, 74, of St. Augustine, for entering or remaining in a place for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness or assignation.</p>